Live music to play on in Geelong

MUSIC fans in Geelong and elsewhere in regional Victoria will celebrate the return of gigs with a huge weekend of outdoor concerts this Saturday and Sunday supported by the Victorian Government.

Announced last week, the Play On series will feature more than 20 regional Victorian artists at eight events across the state.

A concert for double-vaccinated audiences will be held at Geelong’s The Barwon Club on Sunday, October 31, and will feature Dan Kelly, The Maes, Annie-Rose Maloney, and Bec Goring.

Gigs will also be held in Ballarat, Bendigo, Halls Gap, Warrnambool, Castlemaine, Archies Creek and Avenel, and will include some of the best of Victoria’s regional talent including Gareth Liddiard, Dan Kelly, Kutcha Edwards & Friends, Alice Skye, Dallas Frasca, The Kite Machine and Jess Rebiro.

The announcement follows this week’s unveiling of the line-up for the Play On Victoria concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, October 30.

Like the Melbourne event, the regional gigs will trial the return of live music in a COVIDSafe way.

Play On events will support Victorian artists who have been unable to perform during the pandemic and help regional music venues that have also been affected, providing a major boost to eight regional cities and towns.

Fans attending the concert will be asked to show they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app. Victorians can add their COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App.

Proof of vaccination can also be shown through the Medicareapp or equivalent smartphone wallet. They can also present a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement or provide evidence of a valid exemption.

“These outdoor gigs will showcase many of regional Victoria’s best musicians and beloved venues – and will be a vital step in bringing live music back to our state and getting the industry back on its feet,” Minster for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said.

“We’re making sure we have the best technology in place to get our great local events up and going again and make them run as smoothly as possible.”
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said the all-regional line up was a celebration of the amazing talent across Victoria.

“These incredible artists will light up outdoor stages at some of our favourite regional venues and give us a taste of exciting times ahead.

“I encourage music fans across Victoria to get involved and support the safe return of live music.”

For more information on tickets and line-ups for the Play On concerts, head to the Victorian Music Development Office website.